Just wondering peoples thoughts. Overpowered. Kites say x wind range per kite size/style per rider weight. I can understand the low end of wind range. I mean if there's no wind the kite just won't fly. But what makes the top end unwieldy?

Is it the fact that the kite won't fly properly, or is it the fact that the kite/lines will break, or is it the fact that the rider will be sent into orbit? I know there is some leeway due to rider experience and board size but at some point there's obviously a breakdown in what is possible. What exactly happens? Why don't riders like to ride seriously overpowered to get their kicks?

Can we use a 12 meter bow kite as the discussion example because that's what I'm familiar with.

There's only a certain amount of power you can handle - any more and you lose control by degrees until you're getting tea-bagged (as the term implies, dunked in and out of the water like a tea bag).

To some extent you can reduce the power by reducing the angle of attack (letting the bar out), but it gets very inefficient as the drag remains higher, proportionally to the lift, at sub-optimal angles of attack. So this tends to pull you downwind.

Additionally, as the angle of attack is reduced, an increasing area of the canopy starts to luff (flap) and this greatly reduces its responsiveness to steering input.

In summary, too big a kite is unsafe, unwieldy, unresponsive and no fun. The right sized kite will be faster, jump higher, be safer, more fun, and - when you get to that level - you'll be able to do unhooked stuff on it, whether freestyle, wakestyle or surfing.

for sure you could use 12M carefully in strong winds , but thats no fun.
more than 1 kite for control at your choosen style .
overpowered is for the very good or the ill equiped .
get a smaller kite there more fun than a 12M IMHO.

Heading into winter best idea is to put the smallest kite up instead of the bigger and depower, otherwise you might see what overpowered is.

I tend to agree with Plummet, you should be able to edge out gusts to hold more power, but as soon as I'm depowered I get a smaller kite.

For me overpowered is when you get those multiple lifts on a jump, you sheet out so you come down. You take so long to come down, hit the water at the speed of the wind and take close to a hundred meters to get back on your edge after landing

^^^ That is one stomach-churning video. IMO, kiting in any more than 35 real knots is for professionals or those with a death wish. I consider myself a pretty decent kiter and an experienced waterman but I have no interest in riding 40 knots, let alone 60. I've windsurfed in 40+ knots, but with kiting the risks are just too high for this little vegemite.

^^^ Hmmmm . A 17M in a westerly
I guess advice offered is only good to those that take it

Mike
The advice I give to other kiters about kiting in westerlies over winter is because im concerned about their well being and ive seen a lot of crazy $hit happen and most of it is in westerlies.I started kiting 11 years ago and you really had to respect the kites you used then,hardly any depower.Kiting gusty westerlies then was just crazy.I didnt start kiting westerlies till 2006 ,kites had a bit more depower then but still 4 line C kites.Had some real scary times myself then. I use bridle kites now and only kite westerlies to 30 knts,not fun being overpowered waiting to get flogged buy a gust.
The kites now have heaps of depower, some even 100% .
It gives learners a false sense of security because when the $hit hits the fan that kite isnt gunna be at 100% depower.
Agree with djdojo on all his points especially this
That is one stomach-churning video. IMO, kiting in any more than 35 real knots is for professionals or those with a death wish. I consider myself a pretty decent kiter and an experienced waterman but I have no interest in riding 40 knots, let alone 60. I've windsurfed in 40+ knots, but with kiting the risks are just too high for this little vegemite.
Windsurfing for me also above 30 REAL knots
cheers

I have and will kite in conditions gusting past 40. Generally in conditions like that its fluctuating anything from 25-45 knots. It certainly requires a different risk analysis.

Is it dangerous? yes it is. But it can be some of the most memorable kiting of your life. However newbies should not try it. those conditions are only for the experienced and even then the very experienced can be spanked badly.

A good rule of thumb to whether you should kite or not is to listen to your gut. if you are shiiting yourself then don't go out. If you get out there and your are still craaping your pants your outside your comfort zone. Call it a day and live to fight another.

Mr Teabagger is no Joe SLouch, wealth of knowledge and VERY skilled. His advice is sound. Having 80 hours experience is like having ten or twelve days on the slope. Oh, you say you want to try that black diamond run? Sure, go for it. Might be wind blown snow that you butter your way down. Next time might just have a flat section of ice and down you go. Do you have the experience to deal with that....? Nothing beats the years and what you learn after each mistake....

I know guys, you are right. Many things can go wrong and sometimes I do things that don't really serve me well. But in the winter there are basically only Westerlies, then I shouldn't be kiting at all for the winter period? That is just depressing. I really want to get more time on the water and make the best of every session. That's all.

Thanks again for the good advice, I won't be flying the 17 then, unless is wind coming from the see somewhere.

Cheers,
Mike

Better over then under I allways say!